Encoding devices



Aug. 25, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 7, 1960 MBA PigZ.

Aug. 25, 1964 v. J. RELLE 3,146,437

ENCODING DEVICES Filed Nov. '7, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 5, 1964 v. J. RELLE 3,146,437

ENCODING DEVICES Filed Nov. '7, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent 3,146,437 EN0D1NG DEVIQES Vernon .lohn Relic, London, England, assignor to Totalisators Limited, London, England Filed Nov. 7, 1960, Ser. No. 67,828 Claims priority,application Great Britain Nov. 18, 195

Claims. (Ci. 340-347) This invention relates to encoding devices of the type which are arranged to convert an input of digital information supplied to the device on the decimal or other scale into an output of digital information on a scale of binary form that is to say a scale consisting only of the digits 0 and 1, determined, for example, by the absence or pres ence of an electrical potential.

In conventional encoding devices of this type, a number of rectifiers, relays or other apparatus are normally used, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved encoding device of relatively simple construction. a V

The present invention consists in an encoding device of the type set forth, wherein a number of separate sets of contacts are provided, each set consisting of two or more contacts electrically insulated from each other and connected electrically to one or more outputs in such a way that normally all outputs are electrically insulated from one another, distributor arm means being movable over the sets of contacts in accordance with the position of an input shaft rotatable to a number of angularly spaced positions corresponding to the digits of the decimal or other input scale, the arrangement being such that in any angular position of the distributor arm means, electrical connection is atforded to all the contacts of a set and thence to the output or outputs connected to the contacts of that set, dilferent output connections being established for each position of the input shaft in accordance with a predetermined code.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIGURES 1 and 2 show one form of an encoding device according to the present invention, and

FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 show alternative forms of an encoding device according to the present invention.

In carrying the invention into efiect according to one convenient mode by way of example as shown in FIG- URES 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, an input shaft 1 carrying a decade drum 2 forms part of a decimal counting device (not shown), the shaft 1 and drum 2 being rotatable to ten positions P P P P spaced angularly by 36 and each representing one unit on the decimal scale.

A drum gear 3 secured to the drum 2 is arranged to drive a distributor gear 4 via an idler gear 5 forming a 2:1 reduction gear train, such that when the shaft 1 rotates through 36 from one position to the next, the distributor gear 4 is rotated through 18 The distributor gear 4 is secured to distributor arm means consisting of two arms 50, 5b disposed at an angle of 180 to each other, the extremities of the arms 5a, 5b making contact with a circular series of contacts arranged in diametrically opposed set pairs constituting ten sets C C C C of contacts.

In this way, for each position of the input shaft represening a unit on the decimal scale, the arms 5a, 5b are positioned in contact with one of the ten paired sets of contacts.

The arms 5a and 5b are electrically connected to one another and to a slip ring 6 electrically connected to a terminal 7 by means of a wiper 8.

As will be seen from FIGURE 2, the paired setsof contacts C C C C are electrically connected by means of a network of conductors to four output terminals ABCD in such a way that normally all output 3,146,437 Patented Aug. 25, 1964 terminals are electrically insulated from one another,

thereby ensuring that when an electrical connection is made from the distributor arm to one or some of the output terminals, further output terminals will not be unin- 5 tentionally connected due to interconnection of output terminals via the network of conductors between the contacts and the output terminals.

However, where it is desired to intentionally connect the distributor simultaneously to two chosen output terminals, these two terminals are connected through the network one to each of the two contacts of a set, such that only when the distributor arms are on that set are the two output terminals interconnected. The network of conductors is arranged so that for each position of the input shaft and the distributor arm, corresponding to a number on the decimal scale, there is established a unique connection between the distributor arm and one or two of the output terminals, the remaining output terminals not being connected. It will be readily apparent that since any terminal can only be either connected or not connected, the decimal number at the input will be translated into a number on a binary scale at the output, the connected state being represented by 1 and the unconnected state by 0.

Since only two arms are provided on the distributor, no more than two output terminals can be connected at any one time to the terminal 7, and therefore any binary number corresponding to more than two terminals connected to the distributor arm, such as, for example, the numbers 0111, 1011, 1110 and 1111 must be omitted, the remaining binary numbers being connected so as to correspond to decimal numbers in the following way although, if desired, the connections may be arranged to provide any other order suitable predetermined code. 35

One alternative form of connection is shown in FIG- URE 3 in which the sets of contacts are connected to five output terminals, only those binary numbers resulting from connection to two output terminals being used.

Connections Binary Decimal Number From Distrib- Number utor to- 1 AB 00011 2 AC- 00101 3 01001 10001 00110 01010 10010 01100 O E 10100 11000 In an alternative form of the invention as shown in FIGURE 4, a single distributor arm extends over sets of contacts arranged in radially aligned pairs, the arm being located upon, or driven in synchronism with, the input shaft. The sets of contacts are suitably connected to output terminals in the manner previously described.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 4, the distributor arm will move at the same angular velocity as the input shaft. Since the distributor arm will be sub jected, during operation, to violent accelerations, thereby imposing a limitation upon the maximum rate at which the system can be operated, it is preferred to use an arrangement in which the distributor arm is moved at a smaller angular velocity than the input shaft, such as is shown, for example, in FIGURES 1 to 3 where the arm moves at half the velocity of the input shaft. In this way the flywheel eifect of the distributor arm and the energy required to accelerate it is very considerably reduced, it being a function of the square of the velocity and directly proportional to the mass.

A still further alternative arrangement is shown in FIGURE 5 in which the input shaft 1 is secured to a snail cam 9 the subject of which is engaged by one end of a distributor arm in the form of a lever 10 pivoted at 11. As the cam 9 is rotated, the lever 10 is pivoted about 11 to cause the other end of the lever 10 to be moved across paired sets of contacts C C C C to atford electrical connection between the terminal 12 and one or two of the output terminals ABCD via one set of contacts and the conductor network.

When the end of the lever 10 following the profile of the cam 9 has reached a point of maximum spacing from the shaft 1, it is allowed to drop back to a point of minimum spacing upon further rotation of the cam 9.

If it is desired that the output of binary form should in some or all cases have signals at three terminals the ap paratus hereinbefore described may be suitably modified.

Thus, in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 the distributor arm means may have three arms at an angle of 120 to each other, moving over ten sets each of three contacts spaced around the circular series with an angular spacing of 120 A net work of conductors may then be provided between the sets of contacts and output terminals to give the desired coding and conversion of the decimal input into a form of binary output.

In the arrangement of FIGURES 4 and 5, the sets of pairs of contacts may be replaced by sets each of three contacts connected as desired to output terminals, the dis tributor arm affording electrical connection to all three contacts of each set in turn.

Furthermore, other modified arrangements may be constructed, if necessary, Where some or all sets are composed of four or more contacts, the distributor arm means being modified accordingly.

Although the invention has been described solely wit reference to an input on the decimal scale, it will be understood that a device according to the present invention may be constructed for the conversion of inputs on other scales to outputs on a scale of binary form.

As an example, for an input on the dodecimal scale twelve sets of contacts would be provided, connected in suitable manner by means of a network of conductors to output terminals.

For sets of two contacts, either of the following forms of connection would be suitable:

Connections from Distributor to- Binary Number B in ary Number For sets of three contacts, the following could be used:

Connections from Distributor to Binary Number Where necessary, all of the above three codes could be extended to deal with an input on scale having a base of up to fifteen.

In all forms of the invention previously described, an input of 0 could be signified by an output of O, i.e. no connection to any output terminal.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention.

I claim:

1. An encoding device for converting an input of digital information fed to the device on one scale into an output on a binary scale comprising, in combination, a plurality of sets of electrical contacts, each set consisting of at least two electrical contacts, distributor arm means selectively positionable to make electrical contact with any one set of contacts and to electrically interconnect all the contacts of that set, input means for positioning the distributor arm means in contact with one set of contacts corresponding to a digit of input information, a plurality of normally electrically isolated outputs less in number than the number of said sets of electrical contacts, and means establishing direct electrical connection between the contacts and the outputs so that a different pattern of electrical interconnection between the distributor arm means and the outputs corresponding to a binary scale output is established for each position of the distributor arm means.

2. An encoding device for converting an input of digital information fed to the device on one scale into an output on a binary scale comprising, in combination, a plurality of sets of electrical contacts, at least some sets consisting of at least two electrical contacts, wiper arm means selectively positionable to make electrical contact with any one set of contacts and to electrically interconnect all the contacts of that set, input means for positioning. the wiper arm means in contact with one set of contacts corresponding to a digit of input information, a plurality of normally electrically isolated outputs less in number than the number of said sets of electrical contacts, and means establishing direct electrical connection between the contacts and the outputs so that a different pattern of electrical interconnection between the wiper arm means and the outputs corresponding to a binary scale output is established for. each position of the Wiper arm means.

3. An encoding device which comprises a plurality of electrical contacts, a wiper arm movable over said contacts, input means for positioning said arm in any one of a number of positions, each one corresponding to one digit of an input scale, a plurality of outputs. less in number than the number of said positions and arranged to be electrically connected only by the wiper arm, and a network of electrical conductors directly interconnecting the contacts and the outputs so that a different pattern of connection, each one corresponding to one digit of a binary scale, is established between the wiper arm and the outputs for each position of the wiper arm.

4. An encoding device which comprises a plurality of electrical contacts, a wiper arm movable over said contacts, input means for positioning said arm in any one of a number of positions, each one corresponding to one digit of an input scale, a plurality of outputs less in number than the number of said positions and arranged to be electrically interconnected only by the wiper arm, and a network of electrical conductors directly interconnecting the contacts and the outputs to establish a connection between the wiper arm and a unique selection of one or more of the outputs for each position of the wiper arm, at least two outputs being selected in at least some of said positions.

5. An encoding device for converting an input of digital information fed to the device on one scale into an output on a binary scale, comprising, in combination, a plurality of sets of electrical contacts, at least some sets consisting of at least two electrical contacts, wiper arm means selectively positionable to make electrical contact with any one set of contacts and to electrically interconnect all the contacts of that set, input means for positioning the wiper arm means in contact with one set of contacts corresponding to a digit of input information, a plurality of normally electrically isolated information, a plurality of normally electrically isolated outputs, fewer in number than the number of said sets, and conductors extending between the contacts and the outputs so that a different pattern of direct electrical interconnection between the wiper arm means and a selection of one or more outputs, corresponding to a binary scale output, is established for each position of the wiper arm means, at least two outputs being selected in at least some of said positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,939,369 Shelley Dec. 12, 1933 2,549,998 Allison Apr. 24, 1951 2,630,562 Johnson Mar. 3, 1953 2,944,737 Cail et a1 July 12, 1960 2,958,466 Alway Nov. 1, 1960 

5. AN ENCODING DEVICE FOR CONVERTING AN INPUT OF DIGITAL INFORMATION FED TO THE DEVICE ON ONE SCALE INTO AN OUTPUT ON A BINARY SCALE, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A PLURALITY OF SETS OF ELECTRICAL CONTACTS, AT LEAST SOME SETS CONSISTING OF AT LEAST TWO ELECTRICAL CONTACTS, WIPER ARM MEANS SELECTIVELY POSITIONABLE TO MAKE ELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH ANY ONE SET OF CONTACTS AND TO ELECTRICALLY INTERCONNECT ALL THE CONTACTS OF THAT SET, INPUT MEANS FOR POSITIONING THE WIPER ARM MEANS IN CONTACT WITH ONE SET OF CONTACTS CORRESPONDING TO A DIGIT OF INPUT INFORMATION, A PLURALITY OF NORMALLY ELECTRICALLY ISOLATED INFORMATION, A PLURALITY OF NORMALLY ELECTRICALLY ISOLATED OUTPUTS, FEWER IN NUMBER THAN THE NUMBER OF SAID SETS, AND CONDUCTORS EXTENDING BETWEEN THE CONTACTS AND THE OUTPUTS SO THAT A DIFFERENT PATTERN OF DIRECT ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN THE WIPER ARM MEANS AND A SELECTION OF ONE OR MORE OUTPUTS, CORRESPONDING TO A BINARY SCALE OUTPUT, IS ESTABLISHED FOR EACH POSITION OF THE WIPER ARM MEANS, AT LEAST TWO OUTPUTS BEING SELECTED IN AT LEAST SOME OF SAID POSITIONS. 